The death toll rises to over 200 a week after Helene decimated the southeast

The death toll rises to over 200 a week after Helene decimated the southeast

It’s been a week since the hurricane Helene Landing along the US Gulf Coast in Floridadecimating communities across the country Southeast and more than 200 people died in six states.

Life-saving aid continues to flow to regions hit hard by the deadly storm, and President Joe Biden pledged to provide resources to support recovery efforts as he directed the Defense Department to deploy 1,000 active-duty troops soldiers to support the delivery of essential food, water and other supplies to those who need it most.

HOW YOU CAN HELP WITH THE HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF

“I don’t have to tell this group that Hurricane Helene was a storm historical Proportions,” Biden told emergency managers North Carolina on Wednesday. “The damage is still being estimated, but many people are still missing. So I’m here to tell you that United States – the nation – is behind you.”

Search and rescue operations are underway in areas of western North Carolina that were isolated after the disaster flooding Hundreds of roads and bridges were destroyed and escape routes and routes to supply prisoners with vital supplies were cut off.

Because access is gained to areas that have since been inaccessible hurricanemore victims are being located.

WATCH: HELENE-Triggered I-40 DEATH NEARLY FAILS A COUPLE IN BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

At least 202 deaths were reported in six states – Florida, Georgia, South CarolinaNorth Carolina, Virginia And Tennessee. And as more areas are searched for the first time, this number is expected to rise.

North Carolina has seen the most deaths so far, with the majority of the statewide number coming from one area – Buncombe County. The Asheville An area within the county was devastated by the floods and raging rapids caused destruction housescompanies and other critical ones Infrastructure throughout the region.

Numerous people are also considered missing or missing, although an exact number has not yet been announced.

“Firstly – the search and rescue operations have now continued for a seventh day. We continue to find people,” Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said Thursday. “We know we have a lot of people who are isolated Landslides and bridges. So they are separate, but not missing.”

Men with chainsaws walk along Route 9 after Hurricane Helene, Oct. 1, 2024, near Bat Cave, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Pinder said once search and rescue operations were completed, the true number of missing people would be known.

“With our Family Assistance Center, our Register of Deeds Office’s initiative, they deployed 840 volunteers to screen 6,065 high-priority households and distribute over 700 care packages,” Pinder continued.

She said 2,885 people have been found safe by volunteers so far and 1,828 were confirmed safe by email and text message as of Wednesday.

HISTORIC BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY IN NORTH CAROLINA CLOSED DUE TO HELENE’S DEVASTATION

As work continues to clear debris and make repairs, harrowing stories of tragedy and triumph are emerging in the area.

An Asheville mother told FOX Weather Heartbreaking story of losing her 7 year old son who was swept away by the raging floods. She also lost her parents.

Emily Ogburn (right) hugs her boyfriend Cody Klein after he brings her a meal on October 2, 2024 in Swannanoa, North Carolina. Ogburn’s home was spared and she spent the morning of the storm helping and comforting neighbors who had found shelter on a tree branch

Another woman told FOX Weather about her experience surviving Hurricane Helene Floodwaters surrounded and entered their trailer while camping, she called the experience “terrible.”

Couple survive dangerous climb and escape chimney flooding: ‘Grateful to be alive’

In Avery County, North Carolina, a Harrowing video from Vlado Novakovic showed his home New territory swept away by strong currents on Friday.

Others narrowly escaped the wrath of the Flash floods. A A couple in Lake Luna, North Carolina had to flee as floodwaters began to flow into the city.

The photographer from ASHEVILLE captures the effects of Hurricane Helene and describes the isolation from the outside world

A local police car is half-submerged in mud in a flooded area of ​​Lake Lure, North Carolina, on October 2, 2024, following Hurricane Helene. (Photo by Allison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images)

To the east in Tennessee, on An investigation has been launched into allegations relating to Impact Plastics In Erwin after numerous employees were washed away by floodwaters last week.

At least two people died and five others are still missing.

videos Eerie images of one were taken from the area Coffin floating down a river during the historic flood in Erwin.

DRONE VIDEO SHOWS HISTORIC VILLAGE OF BILTMORE UNDERWATER AFTER FLOODING IN NORTH CAROLINA

There were dozens of people rescued from the roof of a hospital in the city when water surrounded the facility and there were even fears that a The Greenville dam would fail.

On Wednesday evening, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) issued a temporary water contact advisory, warning the public to avoid all contact with waters affected by the catastrophic flooding.

A damaged property stands after Hurricane Helene on October 2, 2024 in Chimney Rock, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

“Following the unprecedented flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, several wastewater treatment plants have been impacted and are temporarily unable to fully treat wastewater before it enters receiving waters.” TDEC said in the advisory. “In addition, sewer crossings may have been severed or damaged, allowing raw sewage to enter streams, and individual wastewater treatment plants throughout the region may be at risk.”

The advisory applies to “all surface waters in the Nolichucky, French Broad, Pigeon, Doe and Watauga River watersheds, as well as all other waters affected by the flood,” TDEC added.

TDEC said it will continue to assess the situation and will lift the advisory when appropriate.

SEE HOW MARSHALL HOME IN NORTH CAROLINA IS STOPPED BY THE HELENE FLOOD: ‘A WHOLE HOUSE’

Micah Drye (Meghan Drye via FOX Weather)

Destruction was also reported further south in Georgia.

At least 25 people were killed in Georgia because of Helene Atlanta saw it for the first time ever Flash flood emergency due to record rainfall.

And when the rain fell and the water rose, FOX weather meteorologist Bob Van Dillen was in the middle of a harrowing rescue operation.

While covering the storm, Van Dillen, a local resident, heard a woman’s desperate cries for help at Peach Tree Creek. She had driven into floodwaters and was trapped in her car before sunrise. Without hesitation, He waded into the chest-deep water, fighting the strong currents to reach the woman. He pulled her towards him SecurityHe carried her on his back through the floods to land.

Also in cities such as B. extensive damage was discovered Augusta And Valdosta.

Among the dead in Georgia are a 27-year-old mother and her one-month-old twin sons who died when a tree fell on their mobile home outside Augusta.

Helene landed as a powerful ship in the Big Bend region of Florida last Thursday Category 4 hurricane with Winds of 140 miles per hour, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that great progress had been made.

DeSantis said 2.4 million power outages had been restored, and only about 9,000 outages remained in place in the week since the storm.

“This is the fastest major hurricane power restoration we have ever had,” he said.

DeSantis also said search and rescue operations have been completed in the state and those assets have been sent to North Carolina to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts there.

He also issued three executive orders and the recovery continues. One of those orders is to ease rental restrictions for residents who need housing houses are repaired. The second executive order addresses the upcoming elections to ensure residents can vote.

The third order directs Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard members to ports to maintain order due to ongoing strikes at East Coast ports. He said the Florida Department of transport would waive tolls and other fees for commercial vehicles, and the Florida Highway Patrol would escort those vehicles from ports onto streets and highways upon request.

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Helene is now the second deadliest hurricane have struck in the continental United States over the past 55 years, surpassed only by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and most since Hurricane Camille hit the Gulf Coast in August 1969.

Helene has exceeded the devastation of the “Great Flood of 1916” in North Carolina.

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